Area Sport Fishing ReportsKodiak

September Season

Saltwater Fishing Opportunities

Halibut fishing in Kodiak waters is fair in September, although good fishing weather is less predictable by this time of year.

Rockfish fishing can be good throughout the month of September. The rockfish bag limit in Kodiak area waters is 5 fish per day and10 in possession, of which only 2 can be non-pelagic species and 1 can be a yellow-eye. Pelagic species (i.e. black and dusky rockfish) are frequently caught and typically weigh between 3 and 4 pounds. Occasionally, the more brightly-colored yellow-eye are caught in deep water and average 9 pounds. There are no size restrictions for harvesting rockfish. Anglers targeting rockfish are encouraged to fish for black or dusky rockfish in waters less than 10 fathoms (60 feet) or use a deep water release mechanism to minimize mortality of released fish.

Lingcod fishing remains open through the end of the year, with a bag limit of two fish daily (four in possession). All lingcod gaffed during landing must be retained. Lingcod are often caught by jigging over submerged rock piles and pinnacles.

Sharks are occasionally taken in the Kodiak area. The daily bag limit for sharks is one fish of any species (except spiny dogfish), with an annual limit of two sharks. The bag limit for spiny dogfish is 5 per day, 5 in possession with no annual limit. Edible species include spiny dogfish and salmon sharks. All harvested sharks must be recorded immediately upon capture on your license or harvest record if an annual limit applies. Please do not cut off the head or tail until after the fish is landed to ensure that ADF&G port samplers have an opportunity to obtain measurements.

The ADF&G port sampling project is completed for the season in early September. The department appreciates assistance provided by all anglers who participated. The information you helped collect is extremely valuable. For more information about the groundfish program, contact Barbi Failor in the Homer ADF&G Office at (907) 235-1730.

Remember that road system streams are closed to salmon fishing upriver of highway bridges from August 1 through September 15. Exceptions to this regulation are Buskin River and Kalsin Pond which remain open year round. Mill Bay and Mission Beach are also closed to snagging through September 15.

September on Kodiak's road system sees some of the best silver salmon fishing in Alaska. Kodiak silvers can weigh as much as 20 pounds or more! Peak road system fishing is usually around mid-September. Best waters include the Buskin, Saltery, Pasagshak, Olds, and American rivers, as well as Roslyn, and Salonie creeks and Kalsin Pond.

Trolling for silver salmon typically continues with excellent success through September but tapers off toward the end of the month.

Rainbow trout are annually stocked in over 15 lakes on the Kodiak road system. Some of the more accessible and better producing lakes include Horseshoe, Abercrombie, Lily Pond, Jack, Lee, Aurel and Caroline. The daily bag and possession limit is 10 rainbow trout (only 1 may be 20 inches or longer). There is not an annual limit or closed fishing season on stocked rainbow trout. Rainbow trout fishing is catch and release only in road system lakes that are not currently stocked by ADF&G. Check the current sportfishing regulations booklet for an updated list of stocked lakes.

September in Kodiak's Remote Area

Silver salmon returns to Afognak and Shuyak islands typically peak during the first week of September. Silver salmon escapement at two of the most popular Afognak systems, Paul's Bay and the Afognak River, usually average around 10,000 silvers each.

Silvers also return to numerous other drainages, including the Ayakulik, Karluk, and Uganik rivers. The best time to head to the Ayakulik is the first half of September. The Uganik and Karluk rivers usually peak around the second or third weeks of September, respectively.

Fishing for resident rainbows should remain productive throughout the month in areas supporting sizable populations of fish, such as the Malina, Marka and Afognak rivers. Fishing Kodiak Island for rainbow/steelhead trout is open year round, with an annual limit of no more than 2 fish 20" or longer. All harvested rainbow trout/steelhead 20" or longer must be recorded immediately upon capture on your license or harvest record.